Hydraulic steering mechanism



Sept. 11, 1956 w. H. WORTHINGTON EIAL' 2,762,446

HYDRAULIC STEERING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1953 I INVENTORS w H. W01? TH/NGTO/V8 EE J/RSA ATTORNEY United States Patent Iowa, assignors to Deere Manufacturing Co., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application December 1, 1953, Serial No. 395,492

21 Claims. (Cl. 180-792) This invention relates to hydraulic steering mechanism for vehicles and more particularly to such mechanism as applied to agricultural tractors.

The invention contemplates and has for a principal object the provision of an improved hydraulic system, improved supporting structure for the various components of the mechanism and novel and improved control means for the system. As applied specifically to an agricultural tractor of the tricycle type, the invention contemplates improved design involving the use at the front end of the tractor of an upright tubular support or pedestal which serves not only to journal the upright steering spindle but also to house a hydraulic motor as well as including a portion serving as an integral fluid reservoir. In this respect, it is an important object to provide the pedestal in the form of a multi-section support in which the various sections are arranged in stacked relationship, a lower section serving to journal the .lower portion of the steering spindle, an intermediate section serving as a housing or chamber for a motor of the vane type, a section next above serving as a fluid reservoir and a top section enclosing not only mechanical steering means but also serving as a support for the improved valve mechanism.

The particular arrangement disclosed is of the type in which hydraulic steering means operates in parallel with mechanical means and it is therefore an object of the invention to combine the two so that basic tractor design is retained as far as possible and the hydraulic system is superimposed to establish an eflicient and compact organization. It is a further object to incorporate in the dual system means for assuring operation of the steering mechanism by the mechanical means in the event of failure of the hydraulic system.

As respects the control means, it is an important feature of the invention to provide control valve actuating means sensitive to the operator but one that will not transmit road shocks to the valve, thus avoiding fluctuations in the valve which would otherwise impose on the operator the burden of exercising more skill than would be necessary in a straight mechanical steering system. The design features in the control mechanism include means for affording the operator a desirable feel, by means imposing a slight resistance to turning of the steering wheel so that the operator can ascertain the amount that the steering wheel must be turned. It is a further characteristic of the control system that it includes follow-up means for immediately returning the control valve to neutral after the steerable wheels have been turned to the desired extent. Underlying the entire design isthe incorporation of features that contribute materially to simplicity of construction, ease and economy of maintenance and low initial cost.

The foregoing and other important objects inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as a detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment of the invention progresses.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a representative tractor, portions of the upper front part thereof being broken away to expose the general position of the steering mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, as would be seen were the front portion of the tractor cut by a transverse upright plane including the line 22 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a transverse section as seen substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section, on a scale enlarged over that of Figs. 2 and 3, showing the control mechanism as seen generally along the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the supprt or pedestal as seen generally along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, on the same scale as Fig. 6, as seen along the line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ramp or cam means in the control mechanism, the figure being drawn to a scale enlarged over that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view showing the cooperative cam elements of the structure of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the hydraulic system.

In general The tractor chosen for the purposes of illustration, and shown particularly in Fig. 1, is somewhat representative of the conventional agricultural tractor and comprises a longitudinal main body 10 having a front body portion 12 supported on steerable wheel means 14 and a rear body portion 16 carried in the usual fashion on a transverse axle including widely spaced, relatively large traction wheels 18 and 20. The forward body portion 12 has an upright grille or radiator enclosure 22 behind which is located a conventional radiator 24, this radiator being arranged ahead of the usual internal combustion engine (not shown) over which lies a rearwardly extending hood and fuel tank arrangement 26. An operators seat 28 is carried at the rear body portion 16 of the tractor and ahead of the seat is a steering Wheel 30 connected in not unconventional manner to a for- Wardly extending steering shaft 32. The sides of the hood 26 may be enclosed by side sheets 34, which therefore conceal the usual tractor engine. The steerable front wheel means 14 is of the single wheel type in which a relatively small wheel 36 is journaled on a transverse axle 38 carried by a steering fork 40. However, a truck of the dual wheel type could as well replace the single wheel means 14.

The grille 22 has been broken away in Fig. 1 to illustrate the upper portion of a tubular support or pedestal, designated generally by the numeral 42. Within this upper portion is mechanical steering gear means, to be described later, connected to the forward end portion of the steering shaft 32. Apart from the hydraulic steering mechanism and the refinements on-the mechanical system because of the superimposition of the hydraulic system, the tractor is steered in conventional manner.

Supporting structure p the level of the forward end of the, steering shaft 32.

The forward body portion 12 has an upstanding annular supporting portion or integral sleeve 52 that receives the lower support section 44. The section 44 is itself in the form of a sleeve or tubular portion having at its lower end an antifriction bearing 54 and at its upper end an upper horizontal, generally circular wall 56 which is apertured at 58 coaxially with the bearing 54. The circular wall 56 is bordered by an annular flange 60 in which is provided a series of circumferentially spaced tapped bores 62 preferably alternated with a series of unthreaded vertical openings 64. The upright tubular portion 52 of the body portion 12 has a series of tapped bores used in mounting the tubular support or pedestal 42 on the body. Only one of these bores is shown at 66 in Fig. 2, but it will be understood that several of such bores are present and are circumferentially spaced. The illustration of one will suffice for present purposes.

The intermediate support section 46 is of generally cylindrical construction about a vertical axis and defines an interior chamber 68 having an internal cylindrical wall 70. The exterior of the section 46 has a series of vertical bolt-receiving apertures 72 respectively in alinement with the apertures or openings 62 and 64 previously described.

The lower portion of the upper section 48 is in the form of a circular horizontal wall 74 centrally apertured at 76 in axial alinement with the aperture 58 in the upper wall 56 of the lower section 44 and bordered by an annular flange 78 in which is provided a series of circumferentially spaced bolt-receiving openings 80.

The intermediate section 46 is sandwiched between the walls 56 and 7 4- of the lower and upper, sections 44 and 48 with the bolt-receiving apertures and openings respectively in vertical alinernent. Cap screws 82 and 84 are used to rigidly interconnect the sections 44, 46 and 48 and to rigidly mount the entire tubular supporting structure 42 on the front body portion 12 of the tractor. The cap screws 82 pass through the flange 78, through the annular wall of the section 46 and are threaded at their lower ends into the tapped bores 62 in the flange 60 of the lower section 44. The cap screws 84 pass completely through the flanges and walls just described and are threaded into the tapped bores 66 in the upstanding portion 52 of the front body part 12.

The walls 56 and 74 of the sections 44 and 48 respectively define the bottom and top walls of the cylindrical chamber 68, which will be hereinafter referred to as a motor chamber. This chamber is, in substance, formed from an enlargement of the tubular support 42.

Above the top wall 74 of the motor chamber 68, the upper section 48 of the tubular support 42 is hollow to provide a fluid reservoir 86. An upper portion of the section 48 is of reduced dimension to establish a bearing 88 coaxial with the wall openings 58 and 76 and the lower antifriction bearing 54. A'steering spindle 90 extends axially through the tubular support 42, being journaled adjacent its upper end in the bearing 88 and being journaled at its lower end in the antifn'ction bearing 54. The lowermost end of the spindle 90 is flanged at 92 and includes a coaxial pilot 94ffor centering in the top portion of the steerable wheel fork 40. Any appropriate means may be utilized for rigidly securing the fork to the flange 92 so that the spindle and fork turn in unison about the major axis of the spindle. The reservoir 86 is sealed off from the motor chamber 68 by any appropriate seal means, here shown as an annular fluid seal 96 encirclingthat portion of the spindle that passes through the wall 74. A similar seal 98 encircles that portion of the spindle 90 that passes through the lower wall 56 and seals the motor chamber 68 against leakage. A lubricant seal 100 may be used in conjunction with the lower bearing 54.

The upper portion 50 of the upper section 48 effects an enclosure for a gear element or worm wheel 102 forming part of mechanical steering gear means designated generally by the numeral 104. The Worm wheel 102 is keyed to the upper end of the spindle 90 above the bearing 88 and is in constant mesh with another gear element in the 4 form of a Worm 106 connected, in a manner to be described later, to the forward portion of the steering shaft 32, from which it will be seen that rotation of the steering wheel 30 and steering shaft 32 imparts rotation to the worm 102 and thus turns the spindle to steer the steerable wheel means 14. The worm wheel housing afforded by the portion 50 is formed at its top with an access opening 108 normally closed by a removable cover 110. The worm wheel housing 50 has at one side thereof a side opening 112 through which the worm wheel 102 is exposed to achieve its constant mesh with the worm 106. A worm housing 114 is rigidly but removably secured to the worm wheel housing 50 and itself has an inner side opening 116 registering with the worm Wheel housing opening 112. The worm housing 114 further has at its opposite side an outer side opening 118 normally closed by a removably mounted valve housing 120. Since this housing forms part of the hydraulic system, it will be described below.

Hydraulic system As has been seen, the steerable front wheel means 14 may be mechanically steered by the steering wheel 30 and steering shaft 32 through the medium of the mechanical steering gear means 104 and spindle 90. The hydraulic system operates in parallel with the mechanical system and preferably utilizes a hydraulic motor in the motor chamber 68 to turn the spindle 90 by power.

The motor, designated generally by the numeral 122, is of the vane type having a movable vane 124 secured to the spindle 90 and a fixed vane 126 secured to the support 42. The mounting of the fixed vane 126 is accomplished by a pin 128 passing vertically through ears 130 attached to the vane, upper and lower portions of the pin being anchored or received in the upper and lower motor chamber walls 74 and 56, as at 132 and 134 respectively (Fig. 2). The movable vane 124 is similar to the fixed vane 126 and to that extent has a pair of integral ears'136 pinned by a vertical pin 138 to a casting 140 secured" to the chamber-housed portion of the spindle 90 by means of-a pair of cap screws 142'. The pivotal mounting of the vanes 124 and 126 respectively at 138 and 128 enables the vanes to accommodate themselves to slight irregularities in the motor chamber and the efliciency of the motoris thereby increased. Since the recesses or pockets 132 and 134 respectively in the motor chamber upper and lower walls 74 and 56 do not pass all the way through these Walls, there is no. problem of leakage in the supporting of the fixed vane pin 128.

Fluid is maintained in the reservoir 86'. substantially at the levelindicated by the numeral 144 in Fig. 5, and the top wall of the worm wheel housing 50 has, laterally offset from the axis of the spindle 90, a threaded aperture 146 intowhich is threaded the upper end of a removable ullage rod 148 (Fig. 5). As also shown in Fig. 5, the portion of the tubular support 42 in which the bearing 88 is formed: includes an internal marginal wall 150 that defines a lubricant-retaining pocket 152 in which hydraulic fluid.wh-ich is. also used for lubricationis trapped in quantities suflicient to insure adequate lubrication of the steering gear means 104. As will be brought out below, the circulation of the fluid is such that it passes the steering gear means .104 on its return to the reservoir 86.

As described above, the upper portion of the tubular support 42 provides for the. mounting of the valve housing 12.0.. This housing contains valve means, designated generally by the numeral 154, comprising a valve bore 156' and an axiallyshiftable valve member 158 of the multispool type.

The valve housing 120 has, substantially coaxial with the main valve bore 156, a central inlet or high-pressure annulus or chamber 160- to which fluid under pressure is supplied through a threaded inlet 162. A high-pressure line 164 (Fig. 10) is connected at one end to the housing 120 via the threaded inlet 162 and is connected at its other end to the discharge side of a pump 166 of the constant displacement type. This pump is shown schematically in Fig. as being driven by a shaft 168 which in the present case is the tractor-engine-driven fan shaft, a representative engine fan 170 being shown for illustrative purposes. The inlet or low side of the pump 166 is connected by a suction line 172 to the reservoir 86 in the pedestal or tubular support 42.

Axially spaced at opposite sides of the high-pressure chamber 160 are internal annular groove 174 and 176 and these lead respectively to motor ports 178 and 180.

As will appear below, fluid transmitted through the motor port 178 is effective to cause the tractor to steer to the-right; hence, this port will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as a right-turn motor port. For the same reason, reference will be had to the port 180 as a leftturn motor port. The right-turn motor port 178 communicates through appropriate passages (not shown) in the valve housing 120 and via a downwardly extending fluid line 182 to a motor inlet 184 leading into the motor chamber 68 at the left-hand side of the fixed motor vane 126 (Fig. 3). Any suitable fitting, such as that shown at 186, may be used to connect the line 182 to the motor section 46 for communication with the motor inlet 184. The left-turn motor port 180 communicates via a valve housing passage 188 with a second downwardly extending motor line or fluid conduit 190 to the motor chamber 68 via a motor inlet 192 to the right of the fixed motor vane 126. An appropriate fitting, such as shown at 194, establishes connection of the motor line 190 to the motor section 46.

In addition to the high-pressure or inlet chamber 160 and the right-turn and left-turn motor ports 178 and 180, the valve bore or chamber 156 includes a pair of reservoir ports or passages 196 and 198, these being spaced axially respectively at opposite sides of the central group 160178180. For the purposes of controlling the transmission of fluid through the various ports and passages, the valve member 158 has a central reduced portion 200flanked at opposite sides respectively by a right-tum motor land 202 and a left-tum motor land 204, these lands being respectively flanked by reservoir grooves 206 and 208. End lands 210 and 212 support the valve member 158 for axial sliding in the valve bore or chamber 156.

When the valve member 158 is in its neutral or central position as shown in Fig. 4, the motor lands 202 and 204 respectively afi'ord slight clearances at both sides thereof as respects the motor grooves 174 and 176. Thus, the motor grooves are in communication with the highpressure chamber 160 but at the same time are also in communication with the reservoir ports 196 and 198 because of the reservoir reductions 206 and 208. Because of the very nature of the design, the clearances are relatively slight and these have been exaggerated somewhat in the drawings to illustrate them. It must be remembered, however, that it takes a movement in either direction of only a few thousandths of an inch to establish communication with either of the motor ports, which is required to make the hydraulic system immediately and accurately responsive to turning of the steering wheel.

For etfecting a right-hand turn, the valve member 158 will be shifted to the rear (to the left as seen in Fig. 4), in which case the right-turn motor land 202 will cut off the reservoir port 196 and the left-turn motor land 204 will fully open the reservoir port 198 to the left-turn motor port 180. Fluid under pressure will then be delivered by the pump 166 through the line 164 into the high-pressure chamber 160 and thence through the right-turn motor port 178 and line 182 to the motor 122 at the left-hand side of the fixed vane 126. This will cause clockwise rotation (as viewed in Fig. 3) of the spindle 90 as the front wheel means 14 is steered to the right. A limit on the extent of turning of the spindle to the right is established by engagement of the vanesupport casting 140 with the ears on the fixed vane 126.

Shifting of the valve 158 forwardly effects a left turn for the tractor. The extent of angular movement of the spindle 90 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 (or to the left) is limited by a stop pin 214 extending between and fixed at its opposite ends respectively to the upper and lower motor walls 74 and 56.

Circulation of the fluid to the reservoir 86 from the reservoir ports or passages 196 is through the worm housing 114 and worm wheel housing 50 and thence to the reservoir 86 because the upper portion of the reservoir is open at 216 to accommodate the ullage rod 148 as previously described. Specifically, the reservoir fluid flows from the ports 196 and 198 through the adjacent side opening 118 in the worm housing 114, across the worm housing and through the registering openings 112 and 116 in the abutting worm wheel and worm housings. As indicated above, the hydraulic fluid also lubricates the steering gear means 104 and, in its movement downwardly to the reservoir 86, appropriate quantities of fluid are trapped in the retaining pocket 152 at the upper end of the spindle 90. Thus, the entire circuit is closed and critical portions thereof are contained with the housing and enclosure structure afforded by the pedestal or tubular support 42 and its component parts. Of importance is the fact that the motor 122 is housed in the tubular structure and the mechanical steering means 104 as well as the control valve 154 are likewise housed in rigid structure and are not therefore subject to defects in operation occurring because of temporary misalinement due to operation of the tractor. Although the fluid lines between the pump and valve, between the valve and motor, and between the reservoir 86 and pump are external to the structure 42, they are compactly arranged and lie alongside of the structure, being additionally enclosed by the radiator grille 22 and thus in a posi tion in which they are substantially wholly free from damage because of minor collisions.

Control mechanism In general, operation of the control mechanism is based upon the proposition that some control-initiating part must be mobilized in response to torque applied to the steering wheel by the operator; and the resulting movement must be used to translate the intention of the operator mechanically or otherwise to the control valve 122. According to the present invention, both the steering worm 106 and the steering shaft 32 are relatively rotatable but are fixed against axial displacement. Consequently, neither of these parts is used as an axially shiftable member functioning in response to torque reaction. For this reason, the control system according to the present invention is considered to be a material improvement over prior designs, since it is stable, accurate, free from the transmission of road shock and em bodying a desirable feel to enable the operator to steer with the same skill as but with much less effort than he might use in steering a tractor equipped with conventional mechanical steering means.

The worm housing 114 includes integrally therewith a pair of axially spaced supporting portions 218 and 220 in which are respectively carried antifriction bearings 222 and 224, each preferably of the tapered roller type. These bearings thus fix the worm 106 against axial displacement relative to the support established by the worm housing 114.

The worm 106 includes an integral coaxial shaft extension 226, hereinafter sometimes referred to as a gear shaft because the worm 106 is considered a gear element or the equivalent of gears or comparable parts that will be found in other types of mechanical steering systems. For present purposes, as will be obvious, the particular type of mechanical steering gear is not material, except that, as already stated, the worm 106 and its integral shaft 226 are fixed against axial displacement while being appropriately journaled for angular movement or rotation. The worm gear shaft 226 is coaxial with the forward portion of the steering shaft 32 and these shafts respectively have terminal ends 228 and 230 proximate to each other but spaced axially apart. A sleeve or comparable annular member 2332 surrounds and is loose on the shaft 226 and has an external annular groove 234 in which is received a yoke or fork 236 of a valve-operating member 238. The end of the member 238 opposite the fork 236 is suitably and rigidly connected to the valve member 158, as at 248, the object being to eliminate lost motion to as great an extent as possible. As will be seen, axial shifting of the sleeve 232 on the shaft 226 is utilized to effect axial shifting of the valve 158 for the purposes of accomplishing power steering of the steerable front wheel means 14.

The sleeve 232 includes an integral annular extension 242 that projects axially beyond the terminal end 228 of the shaft 226. A coaxial collar 244 is secured to the terminal end 230 of the steering shaft 32 as by means of a pair of diametrically opposed lock screws 246 so that in effect the collar 244 is an integral part of the steering shaft 32. The forward portion of the collar 244 has an external annular flange 248 that runs in an annular groove established by a concentric radial surface 250 on the proximate portion of the worm housing 114 and a complementary radial surface 252 formed on the front part of a rear cap 254 that is secured to the worm housing 114. The interior of the cap 254 provides a bearing 256 for journalling the collar 244 and consequently journals the front portion of the steering shaft 32. The flange 248 and the groove in which it runs thus establish means for holding the steering shaft 32 against axial displacement.

The extreme forward end of the collar 244, ahead of the annular flange 248, includes a pair of axially extending, diametrically opposite driving lugs 258 (Fig. 7) which are received in diametrically opposed, axially rearwardly opening pockets or notches 260 in the rear end or extension 242 of the sleeve 232. Thus there is established driving means between the steering shaft 32 and control sleeve 232 by means of which the two parts just described may turn or rotate in unison. It will be noted, however, that the driving means just referred to is axially separable and therefore enables axial shifting of the sleeve 232 relative to the steering shaft 32.

Axial shifting of the control sleeve 232 in response to turning of the steering shaft 32 is accomplished by drive means between the sleeve 232 and the worm shaft 226. For this purpose, the worm shaft has a partially helical groove 262 therein for establishing an arcuate or spiral track. A follower in the form of a screw 264 is carried by the sleeve and enters the track or groove 262.

Consequently, as 'the steering shaft 32 is turned in one direction or the other, the sleeve 232 is caused to be propelled axially forwardly or rearwardly relative to the fixed worm 106. The status of the worm 106 as fixed is established because of the resistance to turning set up by the engagement of the wheel means 14- with the ground. Therefore, torque imposed on the steering shaft 32 reacts on the worm shaft 226 to cause. shifting of the sleeve 232. Specifically, turning of the steering wheel to the right, which would conventionally produce a righthand turn by means of the mechanical steering gear 104, will similarly produce a right-hand turn by the hydraulic power means. That is to say, if the steering shaft 32 is turned to the right, the follower screw 264 in following the track 262 causes the sleeve 232 to shift rearwardly, resulting in rearward shifting of the valve member 158 to cut in the right-turn motor line 182 and to establish communication between the left-turn motor line 190 and the reservoir 86 via the passage 188, port 180, groove 176, reservoir passage 196 and the open interiors of the housings 114 and 50. Conversely, turning of the steering wheel 32 to the left will cause the sleeve 232 to shift forwardly and will effect a left turn by power. application of torque to the steering shaft 32 is discontinned and the worm 106 is rotated as a result of steering of the spindle by means of the vane motor 122, the control valve member 158 is returned to neutral, be-

cause angular movement of the worm 106 reverses the direction of axial shifting of the sleeve 232 and therefore effects what is' conventionally known as a follow-up means. Continued steering may be had by continued application of torque to the steering shaft 32 until the worm ultimately catches up with the steering shaft.

It is desirable that. means be provided in order to enable the steering mechanism to be mechanically steered in the event that the power system becomes ineffective for some reason or another. For this purpose, there is an additional drive means efiective between the sleeve 232 and worm shaft 226 for connecting these two parts for turning in unison, this means including, however,

lost-motion provision so that the sleeve 32 may move angularly relative to the shaft 226 in accomplishing its function as part of the hydraulic control system. As best shown in Fig. 6, this drive means comprises a longitudinal keyway' 266v in the outer surface of the worm shaft 226 and a cooperating longitudinal key 268 on and internally of the sleeve 232. Provision for lost motion is achieved by making the key 268 thinner or materially smaller in angular dimension than that of the keyway 266, whereby the sleeve 232 may move angularly relative to the worm shaft 226 to a limited extent in either angular direction from the central or neutral position shown in Fig. 6, which will be the position just prior to turning of the steering shaft 32 or immediately after the shaft 32 is turned and the worm shaft catches up with the steering shaft.

Since friction between the sleeve 232 and worm shaft 226 and between the groove 262 and follower screw 264 is so small as to be incapable of affording much resistance to turning of the steering wheel 32, it is desirable that some means be included for giving the operator a sense of feel, the advantages of which have already been outlined. For this purpose, the rear or terminal end 228 of the worm shaft 226 has incorporated therein a cam element 270 which cooperates with a second cam element 272 formed on the front radial face of a cylindrical centering or feel member 274. The cam element 276 is in the form of a cam having opposite cam faces or ramps 276 respectively cooperative with internal cam faces or ramps 278 formed on the member 274. As will presently appear, the member 274 is rotatable in unison with the steering shaft 32 and sleeve 232 but is axially shiftable relative to these two parts. means for interconnecting the parts 274, 32 and 232 comprises a longitudinal keyway 280 in the member 274 and a rearward key extension 282 of the sleeve key 268.

The member 274 is centrally apertured at 284 and the terminal end 228 of the worm. shaft 226 has an axial tapped bore 286 therein. Biasing means is provided for urging the member 274 forwardly so that the cam elements 270 and 272 are yieldably maintained in engagement. The biasing means takes the form of an elongated coiled compression spring 288 encircling an elongated rod-like element 290 that has its forward end threaded at 292 into the tapped bore 286 in the worm shaft 226. The rear or remote end of the rod-like element 290 carries abutment means in the form of a pin 294 and washer 296 against which the rear end of the spring 288 abuts, the forward end of the spring abutting, of course, against the rear face of the member 274. The forward or front terminal end 230 of the steering shaft 32 is tubular to accommodate the coaxial rod 290 and spring 228.

The diameter of the member 274 is such that it is encircled, by or contained within the sleeve. extension 242.

Of course, in either case, as soon as the The drive.

on the sleeve 232. Furthermore, the front face of the collar 244 is axially recessed at 298 to accommodate rearward movement of the member 274 as the cam elements separate axially upon turning of the steering shaft 32.

Operation by power Many of the operational characteristics of the power system have been described above in connection with the description of the structure, but a brief rsum of the operation may be beneficial.

When the operator desires to make a right-hand turn, he turns the steering wheel 30 and steering shaft 32 to the right, or in the conventional right-turn direction.

Since the collar 244 is secured to the front end 230 of the steering shaft 32, it is in effect part of the steering shaft and accordingly turns in unison therewith. The resistance occasioned by contact of the front wheel means 14 With the ground in effect fixes the position of the worm wheel 102 so that the worm becomes a reaction member. When the steering shaft 32 and collar 244 are turned in unison, the collar drives the sleeve 232 in the same direction that the steering shaft is turned, the lug means 258260 establishing the driving connection. Because of the spiral or partly helical slot 262 in the temporarily fixed worm shaft 226 and the follower 264 in the sleeve 232, rotation of the sleeve 232 by the steering shaft and collar is accompanied by rearward axial shifting of the sleeve 232 relative to the shafts 32 and 226. The nature of the drive means at 258-460 permits the axial shift. Since the key 268 internally in the sleeve 232 is thinner than the keyway 266 in the worm shaft 226, the worm shaft offers no obstacle to slight angular movement of the sleeve 232.

As the sleeve 232 moves rearwardly, it carries with it the valve-operating member 238 and accordingly the valve member 158, whereupon the land 204 on the valve member communicates the motor port 180 with the reservoir passage 198 and the land 202 on the valve member 158 disconnects the right-turn motor part 178 from the reservoir passage 196 and opens that right-hand motor port to full fluid pressure from the pump via the line. 164, inlet 162 and high-pressure chamber 160. Fluid will thereupon be delivered under pressure to the motor 122 via the line 182 and motor inlet 184, forcing the vane 124 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. The Worm 106 is caused to follow the turning spindle 90 by the action of the centering cam elements 270 and 272, the worm itself being irreversible as respects the transmission of movement thereto by the worm wheel 102. Hence, when the operator ceases turning of the steering wheel 30, the worm shaft 226 is able to catch up with the steering shaft 32, whereupon the sleeve 232 is moved back to its starting position and the valve member 158 is restored to its neutral position.

Turning of the steering shaft 32 to the left gives a result just the converse of that described. That is to say, the sleeve 232 is shifted forwardly to shift the valve member 158 forwardly, cutting off the left-turn motor port 180 from the reservoir passage 198 and connecting the right-turn motor port 178 to the reservoir passage 196. Fluid under pressure will then be delivered via the line 190 to the motor 122 at the righthand side of the fixed vane 126 and will cause the vane 124 to move in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, carrying the spindle 90 with it. As before, the follow-up characteristic will be present and the valve will be returned to neutral as soon as the operator ceases turning the steering wheel 32.

. In either case, the feel or centering means 270-272 will afford the operator the necessary feel so that he is able to accurately sense steering of the tractor by power. When the wheel 30 and steering shaft 32 are turned in either direction, there follows an axial spreading of the elements 270 and 272, resisted by the biasing means or spring 288 as the ramps 276 and 278 ride up 10 each other. As the worm rotates to produce the followup action, it is assisted by the tendency of the elements 270 and 272 to center; hence, these elements may be referred to as self-centering cam means. The result is the same, as already stated, regardless of the direction of rotation of the steering shaft 32.

Operation mechanically In the event that the power system fails or is idled for some other reason, the steerable front wheel means 14 may still be steered mechanically through the steering gear 104; although, there will be some lost motion because of the difference in angular dimensions of the key 268 and keyway 266. Nevertheless, the slight lost motion is immaterial in what may be termed an emergency steering provision. As the sleeve 232 is rotated in unison with the steering shaft 32, because of the collar 244 and drive means 258260, the key 268 shortly picks up the lost motion and engages the proximate side of the keyway 266 and renders effective a positive drive connection between the sleeve and the worm shaft 226. The emergency provision operates in either direction.

Summary The compact organization and adaptation of the power steering design to a tractor of generally conventional construction is an important feature of the design. A steering pedestal (the tubular support 42 and its components) has been utilized and accomplishes the several functions of supporting the spindle 90, housing the motor 122, providing a fluid reservoir 86, enclosing the steering gear 104 and supporting the valve housing for the valve 154. The external fluid lines are compactly organized in proximity to the tubular support 42 and all are concealed behind the radiator grille 22. The stacked or sandwich construction of the tubular support 42 facilitates manufacture, disassembly, repair and reassembly.

The improved control system accurately regulates the power system and the means 270-272 affords the operator the necessary feel so that he is at all times in command of the power system. In the event of failure, the system may be operated mechanically without any adverse effect on the power system.

Various other features of the invention, not specifically enumerated herein, will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will numerous modifications and alterations in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly afiixed to the front body portion immediately above the Wheel means; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and having a lower end portion projecting axially from the lower end of the support; means connecting the lower end of the spindle to the wheel means; means intermediate the ends of the support providing a substantially concentrically enlarged fluid-receivable motor chamber in said support, said chamber being cylindrical about the axis of the spindle and having upper and lower vertically spaced apart walls coaxially apertured to receive the spindle; fluid seal means in each of said walls and surrounding the associated spindle portion; said upper wall serving as a partition dividing said support into said chamber and an upper fluid reservoir; a fixed vane in the chamber and secured to the support; a movable vane in the chamber and secured to the spindle; mechanical steering means carried by the upper end of the support and including a driving member connected to the steering shaft and a cooperative driven member fixed to the upper end ofthe spindle; fluid-controlling, valve means carried by the upper end of the support and including a pressure inlet port, a pair of reservoir ports, a pair of motor ports and a shiftable valve member for selectively connecting and disconnecting the ports; fluid passage means in the support connecting the reservoir ports to the reservoir section of the support; and fluid lines connecting the motor ports with the chamber respectively at opposite sides of the fixed vane.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the reservoir ports of the valve means lead to the reservoir section substantially at the level of the mechanical means so that the fluid transmitted thereby to the reservoir serves to lubricate said mechanical means.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which: the support includes in the vicinity of the mechanical means a fluid-trapping pocket for retaining a portion of such fluid for lubricating purposes in contact with the mechanical means.

4. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: a lower support section rigidly fixed to the front body portion and having an upper horizontal and circular surface, said support having a vertical bore therethrough coaxial with said circular surface; an intermediate support section superimposed on the circular surface and including an internal cylindrical wall coaxial with said surface; an upper support section of upright elongated form and including a lower horizontal and circular wall tightly fitting over the internal cylindrical wall so that said cylindrical wall and the upper and lower walls define a cylindrical fluid-receivable motor chamber, said upper support section being of hollow construction to afford a lubricant reservoir and said upper support section further having an opening lengthwise therethrough and coaxially through the lower circular wall; means rigidly securing the support sections together; an upright steering spindle extending through the support sections and journaled in the upper and lower sections; fluid seal means in each of the upper and lower walls and surrounding the spindle; a fixed vane in the motor chamber and secured to one of the walls; a movable vane in said motor chamber and fixed to that portion of the spindle between the upper and lower circular walls; and said intermediate support having therein first and second fluidconducting passages leading into the chamber respectively at opposite sides of the fixed vane.

5. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly afiixed to the front body portion immediately above thetwheel means; a fluid motor of the vane type coaxially contained within the lower end portion of the support and having a vane movable. angularly about the axis of the housing; steering spindle means including upper and lower portions coaxial with and respectively above and below the motor and secured to the vane, said lower portion being journaled in the lower end of the support and secured to the wheel means and said upper portion being enclosed and journaled in the upper end of the support; mechanical means enclosed in said upper end of the support and connecting the steering shaft to the upper steering spindle portion; said upper end of the support having therein at one side thereof an opening communicating with the interior of said support; fluid-control valve means mounted on the support over the opening and including fluid-conducting means connected to the motor and a fluid-conducting reservoir passage in register with said opening; and the interior of the support being hollow and providing a fluid reservoir.

6. In a tractor'having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly atlixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; a steering spindle coaxially contained and journaled in the support and having upper and lower ends; means connecting the lower end of the spindle to the wheel means; a steering worm wheel fixed to the upper end of the spindle; means on the support including a worm wheel housing enclosing the worm wheel but having a side opening exposing the worm wheel; a first auxiliary housing secured to the aforesaid worm housing and carrying a steering worm connected to the steering shaft and in mesh with the worm Wheel, said first auxiliary housing having at one side thereof a first opening through which said mesh is achieved and further having at its opposite side a second opening exposing the worm; a second auxiliary housing secured to the first auxiliary housing over said second opening and itself having an opening in register with said second opening; said second auxiliary housing including fluid-controlling valve means having a fluidtransmitting passage leading to said registering openings and thence to the worm wheel housing via the aforesaid side opening; means in the interior of the support forming a fluid reservoir in communication at its top with the worm wheel housing; a vane motor contained in the lower portion of the support and including a cylindrical chamber coaxial with the spindle, a movable vane angularly movable in the chamber and secured to the spindle and a fixed vane in the chamber secured to the support; fluidtight means separating the chamber from the reservoir; and fluid-conducting motor lines leading from the valve means to the chamber respectively at opposite sides of the fixed vane.

7. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly aflixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; a steering spindle coaxially contained and journaled in the support and having upper and lower ends; means connecting the lower end of the spindle to the wheel means; first gear means fixed to the upper end of the spindle; means on the support including a housing enclosing the gear means but having a side opening exposing the gear means; a first auxiliary housing secured to the aforesaid housing and carrying second gear means connected to the steering shaft and in mesh with the first gear means, said first auxiliary housing having at one side thereof a first opening through which said mesh is achieved and further having at its opposite side a second opening exposing the second gear means; a second auxiliary housing secured to the first auxiliary housing over said second opening and itself having an opening in register with said second opening; said second auxiliary housing including fluidcontrolling valve means having a fluid-transmitting passage leading to said registering openings and thence to the first gear means housing via the aforesaid side opening; means in the interior of the support forming a fluid reservoir in communication at its top with the first gear means housing; a fluid motor carried by the support and operatively connected to the spindle; and fluid-conducting motor lines leading from the valve means to the motor.

8. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end' portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly aflixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; said support having a lower motor section, a coaxial intermediate reservoir section, and an upper housing section; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and running axially therethrough with its lower end projecting adjacent and secured to the wheel means and its upper end enclosed in the upper housing section; fluid-powered motor means in the motor section and connected to the spindle; mechanical means in the upper housing section and connected to the upper end of the spindle; means in the support forming a fluid passage from the housing section to the reservoir section; and valve means carried by the support and including a reservoir passage leading to the housing section and motor passages leading to the motor section.

9. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly aflixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; said support having a lower motor section, a coaxial intermediate reservoir section, and an upper housing section having a fluid passage leading to the reservoir section; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and running axially therethrough with its lower end projecting adjacent and secured to the wheel means and its upper end enclosed in the upper housing section; fluidpowered motor means in the motor section and connected to the spindle; mechanical means in the upper housing section and connected to the upper end of the spindle; a valve housing secured to the upper housing section and having an internal reservoir passage leading to the upper housing and a pair of motor ports leading externally of the upper housing; and a pair of fluid lines external to the support and leading from the motor ports downwardly alongside the support to the motor section.

10. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means having an upright spindle mechanically steered by a steering shaft, a hydraulic steering system comprising: a tubular support enclosing the upright spindle and having its interior provided as a fluid reservoir; a steering motor connected to the spindle; a source of fluid under pressure having an inlet line connected to the reservoir in the support; and valve means fluid-connected to the outlet of the pressure source and having motor lines to the motor and a reservoir line to the reservoir.

11. The invention defined in claim 10, in which: the valve means is carried by the tubular support.

12. The invention defined in claim 11, in which: the reservoir line from the valve means is integral with the support.

13. The invention defined in claim 12, in which: the motor is carried by the tubular support separately from the reservoir.

14. The invention defined in claim 13, in which: the motor includes a motor chamber integral with the tubular support and concentrically surrounding a portion of the spindle, and a movable motor member is enclosed in the chamber and keyed to said spindle portion for angular movement in the chamber.

15. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly affixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; a fluid motor carried by the lower end part of the support and having a movable motor member; steering spindle means including upper and lower portions coaxial with and respectively above and below the movable motor member and secured to said member, said lower portion being journaled in the lower end of the support and secured to the wheel means and said upper portion being journaled at the upper end of the support; mechanical means carried by the upper end of the support and opcratively interconnecting the steering shaft and the upper steering spindle portion; fluid-reservoir means carried by the support; and fluid-control-valve means mounted on the sup port and including fluid-conducting means connected to the motor and fluid-conducting means connected to the reservoir.

16. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable Wheel means and including a rotatable steer ing shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly aflixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; said support having a lower motor section, a coaxial intermediate reservoir section, and anupper housing section; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and running axially therethrough with its lower end projecting adjacent and secured to the wheel means and its upper end enclosed in the upper housing section; fluid-powered motor means in the motor section and connected to the spindle; means in the support forming a fluid passage from the housing section to the reservoir section; and, valve means carried by the housing section and including a reservoir passage leading to the housing section and motor passages leading to the motor section.

17. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an upper end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly aflixed to the front body portion immediately above the Wheel means; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and having upper and lower end portions projecting axially respectively from the upper and lower ends of the support; means connecting the lower end portion of the spindle to the wheel means; mechanical means connecting the upper end portion of the spindle to the steering shaft; and a fluid-pressure motor contained in and supported by the lower end of the support in vertically spaced relation to and below and independent of the mechanical means, and said motor including a motor member fixed to the spindle.

18. The invention defined in claim 17, in which: the fluid pressure motor comprises a substantially concentrically enlarged fluid motor chamber in the support at approximately the level of the front body portion of the tractor, said chamber being cylindrical about the axis of the spindle and having upper and lower vertically spaced apart walls coaxially apertured to receive the spindle; a fixed vane in the chamber and secured to the support; and a movable vane in the chamber and secured to the spindle.

19. In a tractor having a front body portion supported on steerable wheel means and including a rotatable steering shaft at a level above the wheel means, the combination including: an upright tubular support having an up per end portion substantially at the level of the steering shaft and a lower end portion rigidly affixed to the front body portion immediately above the wheel means; an upright steering spindle journaled in the support and having a lower end portion projecting axially from the lower end of the support; means connecting the lower end of the spindle to the wheel means; means intermediate the ends of the support and providing a fluid-receivable motor chamber, said support having a partition wall dividing said support into said chamber and a separate fluid reservoir; a movable motor member in the motor chamber and secured to the spindle; mechanical steering means carried by the upper end of the support and including cooperative driving and driven members connected respectively to the steering shaft and upper end of the spindle; fluid-controlling valve means carried by the upper end of the support and including a pressure inlet port, reservoir ports, motor ports and a shiftable valve member for selectively connecting and disconnecting the ports; and fluid-conducting means connecting the reservoir ports to the reservoir section of the support and other fluid-conducting means connecting the motor ports with the motor chamber.

20. The invention defined in claim 19, in which: the fluid-conducting means that lead from the reservoir port to the reservoir section includes a fluid-conducting portion substantially at the level of the mechanical means so that the fluid carried thereby to the reservoir serves to lubricrate said mechanical means.

21. The invention defined in claim 20, in which: the support includes in the vicinity of the mechanical means a fluid-trapping pocket adjacent to the aforesaid fluidconducting portion, which pocket is arranged to retain a portion of the conducted fluid for lubricating purposes in contact with the mechanical means.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,859,333 Josephs May 24, 1932 2,521,652 Rockwell Sept. 5, 1950 2,625,231 Martin Jan. 13, 1953 

